There is one thing that Mary Jo Coady wants to make clear to anyone who hears about her, reads about her, or tries to dismiss her – she is not trying to convince anyone that the bottom of her steam iron truly carries the face of Jesus Christ.

But the image, which bears a striking likeness to popular depictions of Jesus Christ, has had a profound affect on Coady. After a challenging past two years in which her faith waned, Coady, who was raised Catholic, said she feels spiritually uplifted by the startling depiction.

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Coady said she was taken aback when she spotted the image last Sunday while straightening up around the house, but she thought she might be reading too much into it. During a difficult past two years, she has separated from her husband, moved out of the home they owned, and had her hours cutback at the medical facility where she works as a secretary.

Now living with her two college-age daughters, Coady turned to relatives and friends. She posted images of the iron on her Facebook account, and asked for input. Did they see what she saw in the residue on the bottom of her iron?

The answer from her relatives – including her daughters – was unanimous:They all saw Jesus Christ, Coady recalled today. Strengthened by their support, Coady decided to share her story with others, beginning with an article published in today’s edition of the Eagle-Tribune newspaper of Lawrence.

“For me I think it happened for a reason,’’ said Coady. “I think it’s good to share it with other people.